Hagar Is Undiminished By Van Halen Fling

August 30, 1999|By THOMAS KINTNER; Special to the Courant

Although accepting the position as Van Halen's lead singer brings with it a strong likelihood that one will later be badmouthed by the other members of the band, the breakup need not be the first step in a headlong plummet into obscurity.

While original lead singer David Lee Roth's exodus from the group is now a cautionary tale for those who would break ranks for a solo career, his one-time replacement, Sammy Hagar, had a successful enough solo act before he signed on to expect the better landing he had after leaving. Before a smallish announced crowd of 2,400 at the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford Saturday evening, Hagar showed himself none the worse for wear in two thoroughly fun hours of energetic rock 'n' roll.

Questions about whether Hagar's unpleasant split would keep him from playing tunes from his Van Halen years were quickly put to rest when he opened with the group's ``Cabo Wabo'' before a backdrop featuring the exterior of the dream cantina that bears its name. That curtain was soon opened to reveal the bar's interior, a stage set stocked with fans who rocked along as Hagar and his 4-piece band drove through ``When The Hammer Falls.''

Among those in the stage bar were two young ladies who acted as the band's waitresses, keeping Hagar well-stocked with ``Waboritas'' as the band pumped through ``Three Lock Box.'' He offered sips from his glass to people in the front row throughout the show and showered those a few rows back with the blue-hued concoction as he hopped about to the punishing backbeat of ``Mas Tequila.''

Van Halen tunes like ``Standing On Top Of The World'' were mixed generously with solo numbers like ``I'll Fall In Love Again,'' all savored equally by the enthusiastic crowd.

Guitarist Victor Johnson helped make sure certain memories of Hagar's group days went over well, cleanly pirating Eddie Van Halen's lines in a soaring rendition of ``Dreams.'' Johnson showed some chops all his own on the driving ``Heavy Metal'' and in a speedy cover of Led Zeppelin's ``Whole Lotta Love.''

While Hagar had plenty to say throughout the show, he did not utter an unkind word about his ex- band, whose members have trashed him at every turn. Instead, he cast his memories of that time in a good light, marveling at the ease with which the band created ``Right Now'' before offering that tune with keyboard player Jesse Harms.

As he applied his trademark wail to ``Why Can't This Be Love,'' Hagar was all smiles, perhaps knowing that the most faithful version of the tune available to the world now is the one that features his voice.

From the solo ballad ``Eagles Fly'' to the cranked-up encore ``Right On Right,'' the most striking feature of the show was positive energy to spare.

Without bitterness or angst, Hagar merely offered his fans a show full of effervescent rock, the kind he made before Van Halen, and the kind he is poised to continue on with for a long while.